The Leopard C1 tank was developed in the 1960s. The main
armament is capable of engaging with effective fire, while on-the-move,
through the use of an electronic , hydraulic gyroscopic gun stabilizer.
This is known as fully stabilized power traverse. In addition, the Leopard
is fitted with two banks of smoke grenade dischargers on the turret to
create local obscuration.
The Leopard may be "sealed-off" against nuclear contamination
on the nuclear battlefield. It is a minimum-maintenance armoured fighting
vehicle with visual lubricant level checks and minimum daily crew
maintenance required. Properly fitted with external gear, it is capable of
deep-fording or submerged fording where river banks are prepared for exit
and entry. Complete engine replacement is possible in 30 minutes
under field conditions.
One hundred and fourteen (114) Leopard tanks were procured for
the Land Force in 1978. The armoured recovery vehicle Taurus, the armoured
engineer vehicle Badger and the armoured vehicle bridge layer Beaver are
variants of the Leopard
ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER :
- LAV III
The LAV III is a key component of the Army’s leading-edge
battlefield systems as it enters the next century. This state-of-the-art
Light Armoured Vehicle is a fast, well-armed, well-protected infantry
troop carrier. It can be used in all weather conditions, in normal
battlefield smoke, at night and on most types of terrain. The LAV III will
give a vehicle commander many more options in both combat and non-combat
situations. The driver and the commander have computer display terminals
for the Tactical Navigation System (TACNAV), as well as thermal viewers.
The TACNAV links a Global Positioning System (GPS) with a digital magnetic
compass and laser range finder.Total project cost for the first 360
LAV IIIs is $1.1 billion.
- Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light (MTVL)
The Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light (MTVL) is a modernized
version of the M113 armoured personnel carrier with increased mobility and
capacity. It will be used in field engineer, vehicle recovery and general
purpose support roles. The Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light will enter
service for the Land Force in the year 2000.
- M113A1
The M113A1 is an armoured, airportable, amphibious, radio
equipped, tracked vehicle designed to provide ground forces, particularly
the infantry, with increased mobility and protection not found when
operating on foot. One thousand and forty-five were bought Land
Force wide in 1965.
- Grizzly
The Grizzly's primary use is to provide mobility and
protection for an 11-person infantry section in combined arms operations.
It is also used as a training vehicle. The Grizzly is employed in Regular
Force and Reserve Infantry units. Plans are being made to extend the lives
of some of the AVGP vehicles and to use them in a variety of new ways. The
AVGP entered service in 1976.
SUPPORT VEHICLES :
- Coyote
The Coyote is a vital component of the Army’s leading-edge
battlefield systems as it enters the next century. This highly mobile,
well-armed, and well-protected reconnaissance variant of the Light
Armoured Vehicle family is employed in the conduct of battlefield
reconnaissance and surveillance missions at the battlegroup and brigade
levels. Incorporating both radar and a variety of electro-optic sensors,
the Coyote surveillance system provides an all-weather, day and night
capability to the Army.
Delivery of 203 vehicles was completed in spring 1998. The Coyote is in
use with the Army’s six mechanized Infantry battalions, the three
Armour regiments and the Armour and Infantry Schools.
- Husky
The Husky is used mainly to provide light maintenance and
recovery for the AVGP vehicles within the Land Forces. The Husky is
employed as a support vehicle in all units equipped with the armoured
vehicle general purpose (AVGP). Plans are being made to extend the
lives of some of the AVGP vehicles and to use them in a variety of
new ways. The AVGP entered service in 1976.
- Cougar
The Cougar's main function is to provide direct or
semi-direct fire support in a combined operation. It is also used as
a training vehicle. In 1999, the Cougar is being gradually removed from
service with the Regular Force and will remain operational at the Reserve
unit level only.
- BV 206
The BV 206 is a high mobility personnel/cargo carrier which
provides all terrain operations for the Land Force. This vehicle is light
weight for mobility on soft ground, deep snow and steep grades and is
amphibious. The BV 206 is used in land force missions including
territorial defence, domestic emergencies and peacekeeping. From 1983 to
1985, seventy-eight (78) BV 206 cargo vehicles were procured for the Land
Force in: Valcartier, Quebec; Orleans, Ontario and Norway.
- Heavy logistic vehicle wheeled (HLVW)
The heavy logistic vehicle wheeled (HLVW) is used for heavy
lift capabilities. From an inventory of ten variants, these vehicles are
providing support to land forces that include territorial defence,
domestic emergencies and peacekeeping. In 1992, 1,212 heavy logistic
vehicles were acquired for the Land Force.
- Medium logistic vehicle wheeled (MLVW)
The medium logistic vehicle wheeled (MLVW) is the backbone
of the land force logistic support. These vehicles are used throughout the
battlefield in such roles as command and control, troop and cargo
transport, maintenance and administrative functions. This vehicle fleet is
employed in all land force missions including territorial defence,
domestic emergencies and peacekeeping. In 1982, 2,769 medium logistic
vehicles were procured for the Land Force.
- Light support vehicle wheeled (LSVW)
The light support vehicle wheeled (LSVW) replaced the old
army fleet of 5/4 ton trucks procured in 1976 and commercial utility cargo
vehicles bought in the early 1980s. The fleet consists of a wide variety
of configurations, carries four different types of shelters that contain a
wide variety of special equipment. The LSVW is used throughout the
battlefield in such roles as command and control, troop transport, line
laying, medical evacuation, maintenance, administration and light cargo. The
vehicle is air transportable in a C 130 Hercules aircraft.Between 1993 and
1997, 2,879 light support vehicles were delivered to the Land Force.
- Iltis
The Iltis is a standard military pattern, 4 x 4, light
utility vehicle designed to meet the Army's field force requirements. The
vehicle is used primarily for command, liaison, reconnaissance and
communication functions. It is also kitted to carry out cable
laying, weapons carrying and ambulance functions. The vehicle is air
transportable in a C130 Hercules aircraft. Between 1984 and 1986,
2,500 Iltis vehicles were delivered to the Land Force.
ARTILLERY & GUNS :
- LG1 Mark II
The LG1 Mark II is a 105-mm towed Howitzer generally used to
provide close indirect fire support to light, highly mobile, rapid
deployment forces that might be required for domestic our international
commitments.It has the capability to fire extended range ammunitions which
can deliver a round up to18 km down range. Total cost for the acquisition
of 28 LG1 Mark II is $21 million.
- 35-mm twin gun
The 35-mm twin gun system works either in conjunction with
the Skyguard fire control unit or autonomously to provide low level air
defence for airfield protection. In service since 1989 in CFB Gagetown,
New-Brunswick, and CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.
- M109
The 155-mm M109 is a full-tracked armoured self-propelled
howitzer with amphibious capability. It's function is to provide
mobile artillery close support. Since 1971, 76 M109 howitzers are used on
the mainly bases of the Land Force: CFB Shilo, Manitoba; CFB Valcarier,
Quebec, CFB Petawawa, Ontario and CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick.
- C1 105-mm Howitzer
The C1 105-mm Howitzer is the standard general purpose close
support artillery weapon. It is normally towed by a truck which carries
the crew and ammunition. Used since 1956 by the Land Force and currently
utilized by the Reserves.
- C3 Howitzer
The C3 Howitzer is an upgraded version of the C1 Howitzer
which is used as a close support artillery weapon. It is towed by truck
which carries the crew and ammunition. It has the capability to fire
extended range ammunitions which can deliver a round up to18 km down
range. Procured in 1997 and 1998 mainly for the Regular Force.
- Eryx
Eryx is a Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon (Heavy) or SRAAW(H).
It is a portable system including the firing post, the tripod, the Mirabel
thermal imager and the missile tube. It provides the infantry section and
the armoured reconnaissance assault troop with an improved capability in
accuracy and penetration. Fired from the shoulder or using the tripod,
Eryx can defeat all modern static or moving tanks. With its tandem high
explosive warhead, it is effective against bunkers, earth works, and
armour targets even when equipped with explosive reactive armour (ERA).
Eryx can operate in all weather conditions, in normal battlefield smoke
and at night. Its high flexibility allows it to operate in open ground,
wooded zones or an enclosed space in built-up areas. The project has
acquired in total: 435 complete weapon systems, 4,000 active missiles, 500
inert missiles and 52 EVIGS for the Army.
- Adats
The Air Defence Anti-tank System (ADATS) is a highly mobile
low-level air defence unit capable of defeating a wide range of targets.
The ADATS has been designed to provide air defence protection for mobile
troops as well as ground installations. This self-contained weapon system
is mounted on a tracked vehicle and will perform all its tactical
functions during day or night and in adverse weather. Its ability to
destroy air targets as well as ground targets, makes it a unique and
extremely versatile weapon system. 36 ADATS were procured
as part of the Low Level Air Defence (LLAD) Project. The LLAD project also
acquired twenty 35-mm guns, 10 Skyguard fire control systems and all LLAD
facilities and support systems. The value of the LLAD project was $1.09
billion.
HELICOPTERS :
- Griffon
The Canadian Forces Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter (CFUTTH)
CH146, commonly called the Griffon, is another important element of the
army’s leading-edge battlefield systems. The Utility Tactical Transport
Helicopter (UTTH) is a multi-use platform equipped to provide the land
force with support for aerial firepower, reconnaissance and mobility
tasks.The Griffon can operate day or night and in adverse weather
conditions. Although not able to operate in icing conditions, the Griffon
is certified to fly under instrument flight conditions. The pilot and
co-pilot have computer control and display units for the management of
avionics including multi-band radios, a Global Positioning System (GPS)
and Doppler navigation equipment, as well as a Defensive Electronic
Warfare Suite. The aircraft also has a cockpit voice recorder and flight
data recorder as well as a Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS).
Project cost for the fleet implementation of 100 Griffon helicopters
was $1.2 billion. Eighty-nine (89) aircraft were delivered to support army
requirements while11 aircraft were delivered to meet air force
requirements.
